The rising indie-rock duo are hitting the road again after a breakout year.
From Sold-Out LA Shows to a Full U.S. Tour
Australian indie-rock duo Royel Otis are gearing up for their biggest North American tour yet. As the band played the first of two sold-out nights at the Troubadour in Los Angeles on Monday, they also unveiled plans for a new headline run across the United States this fall.
Dubbed the Meet Me in the Car tour, the 12-date trek will begin September 12 in Philadelphia and wrap up October 11 in New York City at The Rooftop at Pier 17. The announcement follows a period of growing momentum for the Sydney-based pair, whose infectious blend of dreamy guitar-pop and cheeky alt-rock has turned them into one of Australia’s most talked-about acts abroad.
Festival Favorites Turned Headliners
Before their fall tour begins, Royel Otis will make high-profile festival appearances at Governors Ball in New York and Bonnaroo in Tennessee this June. These performances are part of a packed summer schedule that includes festival stops across the U.K., Europe, and North America.
The duo—comprised of Otis Pavlovic and Royel Maddell—have been steadily building an international fanbase since releasing their debut album Pratts & Pain in 2024. But it was their playful, indie-tinged covers that gave them a major chart breakthrough.
Their version of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor”, performed for Australian radio station triple j’s Like a Version segment, became a surprise hit. It reached No. 1 on the Alternative Airplay chart and also peaked at No. 41 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, earning them attention far beyond their home country.
First U.S. Chart Appearance
Royel Otis followed up that viral success with another cover — this time of The Cranberries’ “Linger,” performed for a SiriusXM session. That track earned them their first-ever appearance on the Billboard Hot 100, charting at No. 94 and cementing their crossover appeal.
While known for their covers, Royel Otis have proven themselves as original songwriters too. Their single “Sofa King”was a hit in 2023, reaching No. 12 on the Alternative Airplay chart. Their ability to bounce between quirky pop sensibilities and introspective rock has earned them a devoted following — and critical acclaim.
Award-Winning and On the Rise
Their artistic growth didn’t go unnoticed at home either. At the 2024 ARIA Awards, Royel Otis took home four wins from eight nominations, including Best Group and Best Rock Album for Pratts & Pain. Their producer, Chris Collins, also won for Best Produced Release and Best Engineered Release.
The awards marked a high point in what was already a breakout year. Now, they’re riding that wave into 2025, teasing a new era that fans are eagerly anticipating.
Teasing New Music: “Moody”?
While the Meet Me in the Car tour was officially announced on May 5, the band has also been dropping hints about upcoming music. A cryptic post on their recently-overhauled social media hinted at a new song — possibly titled “Moody” — arriving May 9.
“There will be singing. and dancing. and new music,” one caption read, setting the tone for what’s expected to be a busy year for the band.
Their social media feeds have recently taken on a more minimalist and curated aesthetic — a possible sign that the duo are entering a new stylistic chapter, both musically and visually.
Full Tour Schedule
Here are the full dates for Royel Otis’s Meet Me in the Car 2025 North American tour:
- Sept. 12 – Franklin Music Hall, Philadelphia, PA
- Sept. 14 – The Anthem, Washington, DC
- Sept. 16 – The Ritz, Raleigh, NC
- Sept. 19 – The Bomb Factory, Dallas, TX
- Sept. 20 – Stubb’s, Austin, TX
- Sept. 28 – Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
- Sept. 30 – Mission Ballroom, Denver, CO
- Oct. 2 – Palace Theatre, St. Paul, MN
- Oct. 3 – Grinders KC, Kansas City, MO
- Oct. 4 – The Factory, Chesterfield, MO
- Oct. 10 – MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston, MA
- Oct. 11 – The Rooftop at Pier 17, New York, NY
A Band Worth Watching
Whether you’ve been following Royel Otis since their early EPs or only just discovered them through a viral cover, 2025 is shaping up to be the year they fully arrive on the global stage. With new music, major tour dates, and growing buzz, the Meet Me in the Car tour could be your best chance to catch this band before their venues get even bigger.
